Covid vaccine hesitancy could be linked to childhood trauma, research finds

The more trauma people experienced in childhood, the more likely they were to mistrust Covid information, feel unfairly restricted and support the end of mandatory face masks. Photograph: Martin Pope/Sopa Images/Rex/Shutterstock

Refusal or reluctance to have a Covid-19 vaccine may be linked to traumatic events in childhood, such as parents separating, neglect, or physical, verbal and sexual abuse, new research suggests.

Those who suffer in childhood are also least likely to trust official NHS coronavirus information, follow the rules of restrictions or wear masks during the pandemic, public health experts found.